Imran Khan, Pakistan's prime minister, came to power last year after a long-running populist campaign to clean up the country's corruption-riddled politics and to recover billions stolen by the political elite. Transparency international ranks Pakistan 117 out of 180 in a tally of how corruption-free countries are viewed.

Yet Pakistan also has a history of politically motivated corruption purges, some of them used by the powerful military to undermine civilian rivals.

Asif Ali Zardari, president from 2008 to 2013, was arrested in June over alleged money laundering.Credit:
AP

A copy of the arrest warrant shared by Mr Abbasi's PML-N party, indicated he was accused of "corruption and corrupt practices". Last year the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) ordered an inquiry into his involvement in a liquefied natural gas terminal project. Authorities are investigating claims that Abbasi was involved in awarding a contract to a firm in which he was a shareholder. He denies any wrongdoing.

The NAB reportedly also issued an arrest warrant for another PML-N leader, Miftah Ismail, but officers did not find him at his Karachi home.

Mr Abbasi served as prime minister for less than a year after his predecessor, Nawaz Sharif, was ousted from power by corruption allegations.

Shehbaz Sharif, president of the PML-N said: "We strongly protest Shahid Khaqan Abbasi's arrest. The institution of NAB has become Imran Khan's puppet. Our spirits cannot be wavered by such cheap tactics."

Nawaz Sharif, is also in prison, after he was handed a seven year sentence last year for failing to account for his overseas assets.

Asif Ali Zardari, a former president, was arrested in June in a multi-million dollar money laundering case. The widower of assassinated former prime minister Benazir Bhutto was held after a bail extension was rejected in a case alleging millions of pounds have been spirited out of the country.